Zero Cell ✓

Chapter 13

Alex led Jesse through another long hallway. The simple tan walls and white tiles were starting to annoy him. He couldn't even tell where they were anymore. Not to mention, the wire they'd initially followed vanished into the wall. He wondered if they were going the right way. There's gotta be a power room somewhere...

Up ahead, the hall turned left; before that, there was an old wooden door with a glass pane embedded into it. Alex lifted his face; there could be someone of value inside. He checked on Jesse, who stayed close behind. Once he was good, Alex carefully peeked out to check the next hallway. Though it was more expansive and free of zombies, it had a thick navy blue pipe that stuck out and ran along the wall. He ignored all of that for now and proceeded into the room with a smiling face.

Unfortunately, it was all for naught as there wasn't anything in the small room besides an old wooden desk and a torn piece of yellow paper. Alex slouched his shoulders forward as his smile soon formed a scowl. What a waste of time. He rolled his eyes as he snatched up the yellow paper. It'd been used, and the writing was surprisingly straight and unrushed.

Someone's last words, he thought. Alex read it silently.

October 30th, night,

The shelter is holding, but the infected carriers are relentless; they never tire of slamming against the iron gate. Jake thinks the group needs to find a way out of the city. While I agree, I also believe we are on top of the safety. Mark kept all the doors locked to prevent anything from coming in, and we have direct access to the warehouse. Sam and I were also ordered to move any corpses to the west hall and block them off with the shipment crates. So long as no one opens the doors, we should be safe in the commerce section.

November 1st, dawn,

Damian and Lisa have been trying to contact the passing helicopter but to no avail. It honestly feels like a robot—go to the station; it's safer there. Yeah right. Todd told me that the police would be too busy blocking off streets to keep the infection from spreading, but I told him it was too late. We're best staying put until help arrives.

Thankfully, I was already with this group when we founded this shelter instead. Matt's getting a little anal about who gets in. I think someone is sneaking the food.

I heard some talks about the others trying to open up the underground tunnels that lead to the warehouses across the river, but I ain't crawling around in some filthy sewer. Maybe someone else can...

Alex tossed the note. He then left with Jesse trotting behind. Nothing of use in that room, he thought as he wandered down the next corridor. They walked along next to the blue pipe. Up ahead, a thin stream of steam spat out from a small hole. He wasn't even close, yet the atmosphere was warm; a thin air blur surrounded the steam. Alex pushed Jesse back, just before the kid was about to touch it, and away from the pipe completely.

He then warned, "Don't touch that."

"Why not?"

"It'll burn you."

Jesse blinked, pulling his arms close to his person. He stayed even closer to Alex's leg. Unfortunately, they had to pass through; it was their only way. Beyond that, the pipe ran up into the ceiling, and there was a matching valve at the far end of the room, about five yards away.

Maybe that stops it. Alex crouched down to the floor. The steam only curved up, and it might be possible to crawl underneath. But before he could do anything, his body thrust forward slightly. Alex glanced back and watched, mouth agape, as the little boy started to crawl through a tiny vent in the wall.

"Jesse! What're you doing!?"

"I think I can get to the other side from here."

"But I—!" Alex was at a loss. All he could do was watch.